QB Patrick Towles on the run. Steve Flynn – USA TODAY Sports

How do you say deja vu in Gaelic?

Perhaps an unfair characterization, as BC’s offense today against Georgia Tech was more effective than during most of last season. But some factors — missed field goals, debatable coaching decisions among them — seemed familiar as the Eagles gave up a 4-point lead in the last 4 minutes to lose to Georgia Tech, 17-14.

The first half was a muddled affair, as well as somewhat muddied. Conditions — rainy, temperature below 60 — were typical for Dublin but unusual for either team in September. New quarterback Patrick Towles, grad student who had played at Kentucky, lost the ball twice (interception and fumble) and Colton Lichtenberg continued his difficulties with two missed field goals (one was low and blocked, the other wide left from the start). Georgia Tech had a 7-0 halftime lead.

Jonathan Hillerman started BC’s second half off right with a 73-yard touchdown run on the Eagles’ first play. Just up the middle and then outrunning the Yellow Jacket defenders.

A 6-yard rush by Towles in the fourth quarter for the touchdown gave the Eagles a 14-7 lead. BC’s defense held Georgia Tech to a field goal with just under six minutes to play. BC then ran the ball twice into the middle for no gains, botched the next snap, and kicked a 32-yard punt to give Georgia Tech the ball on its 41 with 3:33 left.

Georgia Tech then avoided a massive loss when its quarterback was able to spin out of a tackle far behind the line and throw the ball out of bounds. Worse still, the Yellow Jackets converted a 4th-and-19 with a 22-yard pass as BC rushed only four. The final tally came on a 4-yard run with 35 seconds remaining.

BC outgained Georgia Tech, 313-238, holding the Yellow Jackets to 119 yards rushing and the same total passing. The Eagles rushed for 176 yards and Towles was 11-17 for 137 passing. BC had three turnovers (2 fumbles, 1 interception) to Georgia Tech’s single fumble and 7 penalties to Georgia Tech’s 3.

Paul Johnson, Georgia Tech coach, said of the Eagles’ defense, “”I tell you, they’re as good defensively as anybody we’ve played, including Clemson or anybody. They’re good and we had a hard time getting anything going consistently.” Georgia Tech’s touchdowns came on their first and last drives. That was consistent enough.

Highlights